The Six Nations Tournament continues on Saturday 26 and Sunday 27 February, with the third day of competition. After two games, the XV of France is in the lead, but the slightest misstep could reshuffle the cards. Behind, four teams are on the lookout and can still hope to win the mythical trophy.
Scotland-France: the Blues face a convincing XV du Thistle
The third day of the Six Nations Tournament begins, Saturday February 26 at 3:15 p.m., with the trip of the XV of France to Murrayfield Stadium. The French, big favorites of the tournament, won their first two games against Italy (37-10) and Ireland (30-24).
Teamwork pic.twitter.com/PITAEJ2KRn
— Antoine Dupont (@Dupont9A) February 21, 2022
Fabien Galthié’s players took the point of the offensive bonus against the Italians and managed to win a decisive match against Ireland, thanks in particular to Melvyn Jaminet, skilful in front of the poles. Decisive against Italy, Gabin Villière will be absent due to a sinus fracture. The return of prop Mohamed Haouas could bring depth to the French pack.
Opposite, the Scots made a convincing start to the tournament. The XV du Chardon brought down England (20-17) before conceding a narrow defeat against the winner of the 2021 edition, Wales (17-20). Gregor Townsend’s players have so far shown the face of an organized, combative team that could pose a problem for any opponent. The meeting will be followed on France 2 and on the France.tv platform.
England-Wales: defeat prohibited for the two nations
In the wake of the XV of France match, the kick-off of the meeting between England and Wales will be given on Saturday at 5:45 p.m. It is a duel at the top between the XV du Poireau, defending champion, and the XV de la Rose, winner of the Tournament in 2020. The English will be pushed by their public at Twickenham Stadium, where the atmosphere is always on point.
Maro’s pumped for Saturday @maroitoje | #ENGvWAL pic.twitter.com/aI0LWdy2bf
— England Rugby (@EnglandRugby) February 21, 2022
In the first two games, Eddie Jones’ players conceded a defeat against Scotland (17-20), then scored a full card against Italy (33-0), earning, in addition to points of victory, the offensive bonus point. The English can count on their opening half Marcus Smith, co-top scorer of the tournament with Melvyn Jaminet, with 30 points in these first two meetings. Above all, they will be keen to put on a good show after a disappointing 2021 Tournament.
Wales, winner of the last Six Nations, missed their entry into the running against Ireland (7-29) before winning, not without difficulty, against XV du Thistle (20-17). Led by their captain Dan Biggar, who is approaching 100 selections in the red tunic, the Welsh must imperatively win if they want to have a chance of retaining their title.
The last meeting of the third day of the Six Nations Tournament will oppose the Irish to the Italians, Sunday at 4 p.m. If a match is never played in advance, the players of the XV of Clover leave largely favorites and will aim, in addition to the four points of the victory, to take the point of the offensive bonus.
After a convincing success against Wales on the first day (29-7), James Ryan and his teammates bowed at the end of the suspense against France, putting a real brake on their title ambitions. However, everything is not yet settled and a defeat of the XV of France could put Ireland back in the running, pushed by the return of opener Jonathan Sexton.
Italy, meanwhile, acts as the little thumb of the competition. The team remains winless in the Six Nations Tournament since February 28, 2015, with success in Scotland (22-19). The Transalpins posed problems for the French despite the defeat (10-37) before suffering a heavy defeat against the XV de la Rose (0-33). Kieran Crowley’s players will try to put up a good show against a vastly superior team on paper.